Padstow is small historic fishing port on the north coast of Cornwall, England famous for its restaurants including T.V celebrity chefs Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth. The harbour is undoubtedly the strongest attraction in the town and visitors find themselves drawn to it like a magnet. Fishing and pleasure craft rock side-by-side on their moorings, children fish for crabs from the harbour wall, quayside inns and cafes overlook the calm water. There are seats all around the harbour and because there's always something going on and it's such a restful and interesting place it's a favourite spot for both locals and visitors.

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Get in

By Road

From the M5 south, turn onto the A30 just after Exeter. There are several options from the A30. The most direct way is to come off at Bodmin (A389) and follow directions through Bodmin and Wadebridge to Padstow. Just after the village of Whitecross turn right through Little Petherick and St Issey (A389). This section of road is narrow in places and is not recommended for wide vehicles. To avoid this narrow road do not turn off after Whitecross and stay on the A39 until Winnard’s Perch roundabout then turn right towards Padstow. Alternatively stay on the A30 until the Indian Queens turning then follow the directions to Padstow (A39).

If you are heading for Port Isaac, Rock, Trebetherick etc follow the directions above to Wadebridge. At the roundabout after Sladesbridge turn left towards Wadebridge town centre, then right at the next mini roundabout. This takes you past the Wadebridge sports hall. Alternatively you can come off the A30 earlier, just after Launceston, and follow the A39 through Camelford towards Wadebridge.

By Air

The nearest airport is Newquay international, which has daily flights to London Stansted, London Gatwick and London Luton and less frequent flights to more UK airports. When departing from Newquay Airport be prepared to spend 5 pounds extra tax. (used for the extension of the terminal building). There is an hourly bus connecting you to Newquay and Padstow

By Train

Take a train to Bodmin Parkway (you may have to change trains at Plymouth), there are several of these a day. There are bus connections from Bodmin to Padstow. The timetables of these buses are designed to fit around the big trains arriving.

Get around

All places in Padstow itself are within walking distance.

See

The National Lobster Hatchery, [9]. Located on the south quay, the national lobster hatchery rear lobsters to return back to the sea to relieve the strain from modern pressures.

Padstow Lifeboat Station,[11]. The station is located just outside of padstow at Trevose head. The lifeboat station is open during the day to the public.

Padstow Tourist Information Centre, The Red Brick Building, North Quay, Padstow, PL28 8AF (Located in the large building made of red brick on the far side (north side) of the harbour, opposite the Shipwright's pub), ☎01841 533449, [1]. Padstow Tourist Information Centre is your one stop shop for all queries about Padstow and the surrounding area.

Walk The South West Coast Path to Stepper Point. Walk the South West Coast Path from Padstow to Stepper Point at the mouth of the Camel Estuary. The path will take you past St Georges Well, to the amazing Tregurls Beach, Harbour Cove and the old lifeboat station at Hawkers Cove. At Stepper Point you can visit the Coastguard Lookout, usually manned by volunteers, welcoming and eager to impart their local knowledge to visitors. The views from Stepper Point are amazing in all directions, so don't forget your camera.

Buy

The South West Coast Path to Stepper Point. Walk the South West Coast Path from Padstow to Stepper Point at the mouth of the Camel Estuary. The path will take you past St Georges Well, to the amazing Tregurls Beach, Harbour Cove and the old lifeboat station at Hawkers Cove. At Stepper Point you can visit the Coastguard Lookout, usually manned by volunteers, welcoming and eager to impart their local knowledge to visitors. The views from Stepper Point are amazing in all directions, so don't forget your camera.

Rest A While Tea Garden, Hawkers Cove, Padstow (A short walk along the S W Coast Path from Padstow), ☎01841 532919, [3]. 10.30am to 4.30pm. The tea garden is at the back of the two hundred year old ‘Coastguard Houses’ at Hawkers Cove, approximately 150m from the slipway at Hawkers Cove beach, enjoying fantastic views across the Doom Bar and mouth of the Camel Estuary, to Polzeath and Daymer Bay. Hot and cold drinks, homemade cakes, quiches, soups and pies, made to order sandwiches, cream teas (with lashings of clotted cream and jam on fluffy and light homemade Cornish butter scones), ice creams and various snacks. Gluten free cakes and bars and homemade Gluten free scones also available. under £5.00. (50.561229,-4.949019)

Harbour View Holidays, Harbour View, 3 North Quay, Padstow, PL28 8AF, ☎+44 1841 532 946 or +44 7071 202 105, [8]. checkin: 4pm; checkout: 10am. Harbour View self-catering holiday apartments are in a 400 year old listed building which was originally the Padstow Harbour Master's Office. We are open throughout the year and offer weekly bookings (Saturday to Saturday) and also short breaks, March to November. We have 4 apartments of which 3 have views over the harbour. Gulland is a one bedroomed apartment overlooking the harbour, Stepper and Pentire are harbour viewing apartments each with two bedrooms, 1 double and 1 twin)and Daymer which is a studio apartment with a double bed, no view. Each apartment has one parking space situated adjacent to the Tourist Information Centre and is £30.00 per week in addition to the rental price. Dogs are subject to arrangement and are an additional £30.00 per dog per week.